Real Army Wives Relocation

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Relocation

Relocation To Do List Sponsorship Housing	Recommended Real Estate Professionals
Start planning for your move as soon as possible.	Alabama
Make a master to-do list. Start researching the new duty location. You can obtain a SITES packet for the new base and also contact that city's Chamber of Commerce for their relocation packet. The packets normally provide information on homes, jobs, schools and anything essential to relocation to that area. Discuss the move with the rest of the family explaining to children why you have to move. Sometimes it helps to talk about good memories from the present location and all the good things to look forward to at the new location. Notify the post office, creditors, insurance companies, automatic-investment programs and the Internal Revenue Service of your change of address as soon as possible. Make a list of the bank names, addresses and account numbers for each of your financial accounts. Do not close existing accounts until you have established new ones at the new location and any allotments and/or electronic fund transfers have been shifted to the new account. Plan to have some money immediately available during and after the move, but avoid pay advances unless they’re absolutely necessary. Save all documents and receipts relating to the move in case you have any moving expenses that may be deducted on income tax forms. Contact your insurance companies to find out what your premiums will be at the new location. Go through the house and gather all the things that either need to be donated, sold, or thrown out. No need to have the work of packing and unpacking items you haven't used in years. Make a video or take photos of your household goods for insurance purposes. You may also want to keep a master list with serial numbers of high value items. If possible, arrange for someone to care for your children and pets on moving day, so you can keep a close tab on what is going on. Use or give away cleaning supplies and frozen foods that can’t be taken on the move. Make sure your family’s ID cards and Immunizations are up to date. Make lodging arrangements at both the current duty station and the new one if necessary. If you are enrolled in Tricare Prime, make sure to update your enrollment once you arrive at the new duty station. If you are not enrolled in Tricare Prime, learn about healthcare facilities available at the new duty station. Obtain children’s most recent school records. Put together a folder containing important papers to hand carry with you. (Do not pack them) This should include: Marriage and divorce papers Birth certificates, adoption papers Social Security cards Military ID cards Insurance ID cards Copies of medical, dental and optical records School transcripts and referral letters Pet immunization records PCS orders Power-of-attorney records Income tax records Deeds Copies of wills Bank account and credit card information A list of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments Car registration and title Credit references from previous utility companies to waive utility deposits Passports A copy of your last 3 months leave and earnings statement Spouse’s resumes, certificates, professional licenses and transcripts
	Tennessee

	Virginia


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Request A Sponsor
Ask your new command for a sponsor. Generally, sponsors are of the same rank and marital status, and hold the same MOS as the newcomer. They can help you and your family with settling in to initial accommodations, and link you with the school system, childcare, pet sitters, and other points of contact. Often times they will introduce you to the chain of command and also assist you with in-processing, and learning about the unit and community.
Housing
IF you plan to live on post - You may want to visit Army Housing One Stop. The site offers pictures and floor plans of Army housing at various installations. You can check their status on housing waiting lists, and learn the steps for submitting service orders or checking the status of existing service orders. If you plan to lease - Be prepared to pay the first month's rent and a security deposit at the time you sign the lease. The amount of the security deposit is usually equal to one month’s rent, but the cost can vary from location to location. (If you have a pet, an additional non-refundable deposit may be required.) The security deposits are intended to cover the cost of any damages you may be responsible for when vacating. If you vacate your apartment or house in good shape — so that no repairs are necessary — your deposit is normally returned. Remember to keep the receipt for your security deposit or, if you pay by check, note “security deposit” on the face of the check. You should also be given a checklist to specify the condition of the unit, and it should be signed by the landlord and tenant. When vacating, this check-in sheet can be used to determine damages — if any — to be deducted from the security deposit. The lease is a contract that defines the rights and obligations of both the landlord and tenant. When you sign a lease, you are legally bound to observe its terms. It is wise to insist a military clause be included in the lease even though the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act protects servicemembers in the civilian community, . This clause generally states that the Soldier can terminate the lease if PCS orders are received. . If a service member signs a lease and later gets orders for a permanent change-of-station move or for a deployment of 90 days or more, he can terminate the lease by giving the landlord written notice. Some landlords provide other protections, too. The clause may not allow the termination of the lease just because on-base housing becomes available. There is no standard military clause. The wording is a matter of negotiation between the Soldier and the prospective landlord. Before signing any lease, It’s wise to ask the legal assistance office on base to review a rental contract to ensure it is consistent with local and state practices. IF you plan to buy a home - You should get pre-qualified at your bank or credit union for a home loan. This can save time and cut down on last-minute stress. Also consider attending a home-buying seminar. Follow these tips when seeking a home: Know what you are looking for in terms of price, type of home, general location and neighborhood. Take your time and visit as many homes as possible. Learn about taxes, schools, recreation, shopping, transportation, etc., by speaking with real-estate brokers, neighborhood residents, and officials of community organizations and city halls. Before you buy, check for a homeowner’s warranty. IF you are selling a home - Interview at least 2-3 Realtors before you settle on one. Make sure you are clear about what their plan of action is to get your home sold in a timely manner for the best possible price. Ask about how they plan to advertise your home, how they screen potential buyers, and how they will be communicating with you to offer feedback on the progress of the sale. A good agent will be able to advise you on how to best prepare your home for entry into the market. Some basic things to consider Depersonalize the home Get rid of the clutter Clean the carpets Clear off the countertops Take care of repairs and maintenance issues Get the house show-ready Your real-estate agent can help you determine which jobs are most important to achieve a fast sale. For example: paint, fix leaky faucets, clean windows and glass on doors, dust light fixtures, replace dead bulbs, shampoo carpets, clean kitchen and bathrooms, repair appliances, refinish/wax floors and spruce up the yard. If you plan to rent out your house - You may want to look into The Rental Partnership Program. This purpose of this program is to provide military personnel with affordable, secure, quality rental property. Representatives from the installation’s housing office enter into agreements with local landlords to offer service members special rental benefits beyond what other tenants receive such as a discount on market rent, waiver of security deposits, application fees and any other out of pocket moving expenses. In exchange, property owners save on marketing and turnover costs when the military refers them financially pre-qualified prospective tenants. Payment of rental fees via electronic fund transfer ensures a dependable cash flow for the owner. Although no guarantee of rentals is implied, participation in the RPP gives property owners an opportunity to reduce days lost to vacancy while providing an essential service to the military community. RPP programs are tailored to meet the needs of specific rental markets. Ask your housing referral office for details.